ATM Shoulder Surfers On The Rise, Fairfield Police Warn
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) — Criminals are targeting unsuspecting victims at ATMs in the area, swooping in to steal cash as soon as you walk away. Police say the victims are so focused on their transaction, they have no idea that someone else is focused on them.
Fairfield police say a woman was caught on camera engaging in what's called shoulder surfing.
"The person comes up behind you at an ATM close enough where they can watch you enter your PIN," said Det. Kathryn McCormick.
The shoulder surfer quickly memorizes the PIN.
"When you leave the ATM they rush up quickly and enter your PIN back into the machine and make a new transaction," she said.
If the victim doesn't make sure their transaction is over, the bank account is now exposed and violated.
"From there, they can do anything you can do at the ATM and withdraw money up to whatever your daily maximum allowance is," she said.
There are reports of shoulder surfing thefts throughout the state.
Travis Credit Union Branch Manager Mary Leighton says there are no reports of her members being hit by shoulder surfers. She says her bank teams up with law enforcement to educate customers on keeping cash safe at ATMs and covering the ATM keyboard to protect PINs.
"If it looks like there are too many people standing around the ATM, then come back another time, or drive-throughs are really the safest," she said.
Fairfield detectives are working with the Benicia Police Department, as they believe the same woman in the surveillance photo may have hit customers there as well.